"celtic is a ladylike word for Irish"---eh???? The celtic origins of much of Scotland's culture and music is more than "theory". Welsh and Cornish tradition also is unmistakeably part of the celtic genre. And, quite rightly, Breton culture is mentioned. A wee tale [a true one!] which may have some bearing on the "celtic influence " on American music. Ali Bain, whose world-class talents on fiddle are, I'm sure, well known to most of those who frequent the forum here, once in conversation told me of one particular occasion which gave him some personal enlightenment re. the effects of transatlantic culture on American folk music. Ali was building material for a tv series he did on British tv --"Down Home". He told of arriving in Nashville, and being asked to play in a Pub [at least, as far as Ali was concerned it was the equivalent]. He duly took up his fiddle, and launched a medley of Scottish and Shetland reels. Ali reckons that before he was through his first tune, there were SIX fiddlers onstage playing along, note for note! And in every case, they had a different name from Ali for the tune being played. Influence can't be more direct than that, I'd reckon! Just by the way---the same Mr Bain insisted to our group that the finest fiddlers in the world didn't hail from Shetland, Scotland or Ireland---they are to be found in North America, and in Appalachia in particular.